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Word Analysis

contrebalançais

Complete linguistic analysis including syllable division, pronunciation, morphology, and definitions.

5 syllables
15 characters
French
Enriched
5syllables

contrebalançais

Linguistic Analysis

Syllables

con-tre-ba-lan-çais

Pronunciation

/kɔ̃tʁə.ba.lɑ̃.se/

Stress

00100

Morphemes

contre- + balanç- + -ais

The word 'contrebalançais' is divided into five syllables: con-tre-ba-lan-çais. It consists of the prefix 'contre-', the root 'balanç-', and the suffix '-ais'. The primary stress falls on the third syllable ('ba'). Syllabification follows the vowel rule, consonant cluster rule, and nasal vowel rule of French phonology.

Definitions

noun
  1. 1

    A weight used to offset another weight; a force or influence that opposes another.

    Counterbalance

    Le contrebalançais était essentiel pour le bon fonctionnement de la machine.

verb
  1. 1

    To counterbalance; to offset.

    To counterbalance

    Il contrebalançait les arguments de son adversaire.

Stress pattern

The primary stress falls on the third syllable ('ba'). French stress typically falls on the penultimate syllable, but can be influenced by the presence of schwa vowels.

Syllables

5
con/kɔ̃/
tre/tʁə/
ba/ba/
lan/lɑ̃/
çais/se/

con Open syllable, nasal vowel. The 'n' is part of the nasalization.. tre Open syllable, schwa vowel. 'r' is a uvular fricative.. ba Open syllable, stressed syllable.. lan Open syllable, nasal vowel. 'n' is part of the nasalization.. çais Closed syllable, schwa vowel followed by a voiceless alveolar fricative.

Vowel Rule

Each vowel sound generally forms a syllable. This is the primary rule applied throughout the word.

Consonant Cluster Rule

Consonant clusters are generally kept together within a syllable unless they can be easily pronounced as separate syllables (which is not the case here).

Nasal Vowel Rule

Nasal vowels are treated as single vowel sounds forming their own syllables.

  • The pronunciation of 'r' as a uvular fricative /ʁ/ is a standard feature of French.
  • Liaison is possible between 'contre' and 'balançais' in connected speech, but does not affect the syllabification.
  • The schwa vowel /ə/ is common in unstressed syllables in French.
Analysis by gemma3:27b · 6/10/2025

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